Rödgen is geographically constrained, as it lies on a ridge, making real
estate a scarce commodity. Maybe for that reason, the village is a "posh" suburb of Siegen. In order to find the room to put in two churches, they share the same steeple. The one on the right is Reformed and the one on the left is Catholic. Rödgen lies above the villages of Eisern and Eiserfeld in the valley below. Because this is basically a Catholic region, the Reformed residents of Eisern, such as the Hofmanns, sometimes used the Reformed church in Rödgen.
(May, 2000)
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Rödgen Cemetery

A Germanna "native" would feel right at home in the Friedhof (Cemetery) at the Rödgen church. This photo in the cemetery shows a Hoffman, Heide, Becker, and Meyer. Other stones have the names of Weidemann, Weber, and Jung. Though many of these names duplicate Germanna names, that is just an accident; however, I like to think that the Hoffmans are my cousins (and the rest are my friends).
(May, 2000)
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Rödgen-Rälsbach Sign

An Autobahn route passes not too far from Rödgen and there is a rest stop (Rastplatz=Rest Place) near Eisern. It reminds us that our Railsback families came from Eisern (as did several other families).
(May, 2000)
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Rödgen Poppy

This is a reminder that we need to stop and smell the flowers as we pass
through life. The poppy, shown here, is a very popular flower in Germany, and many of them grow in the wild. They are to be found everywhere.
(May, 2000)
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